To prevent a repeat of the killing of a baby chimpanzee in June, the Los Angeles Zoo plans to keep newborns away from adult males in the future, officials said Tuesday.

Zoo officials reported to the City Council that they had adopted the new policy as a response to the incident in which a male killed a three-month-old female while horrified visitors to the exhibit watched.

"The action was instantaneous, leaving no opportunity for rescuing the infant," Zoo officials said.

Prior to the attack, Zoo officials said they had tried to introduce the baby chimp to the troop on a gradual basis and had no real indication of any problems.

"Throughout the entire introduction process there was nothing observed to predict this incident," the Zoo reported. "Chimpanzee societies can be very loud, demonstrative and can have physical disagreements that can be intense."

The change in procedures is for the safety of the animals and their handlers. Also, officials are concerned that many visitors witnessed the attack.